But come to think of it, even when his career was in full swing, the former Major-leaguer hardly every did get recognized in these parts.

“I’d get my hair cut and the (stylist) would say, ‘Oh, what do you do for a living?’ ” recalled the 35-year-old, chuckling, as he remembered off-season conversations. “I’d say, ‘I’m a professional baseball player.’

“She’d say, ‘Oh, it’s too bad it didn’t work out with hockey for you.’ That was the reoccurring theme — and it was just fine by me. I was never one to want to be in the spotlight, or anything.”

However, from the time he became first Canadian player taken in the 1996 Major League Baseball draft until his retirement in 2008, baseball fans in this country and this city were always watching.

The Calgary-raised right-handed pitcher was the 34th overall selection of the Boston Red Sox and part of a new era that saw more scouts taking a chance on Canadian talent — before the Lawries and before the Morneaus.

But it wasn’t until 2001 with the Cincinnati Reds that he made his major league debut. Between that, there were many ups, plenty of downs, and lots of injuries.

And to understand his path — which eventually led him among Thursday’s class of inductees to the Alberta Sports Hall of Fame — Reitsma put it into layman’s terms.

“In hockey, you might get drafted and there’s one or two levels to get up to the NHL,” he said. “The guys that make it there are, obviously, very special athletes. In baseball, you have the high-school ranks, the college ranks, and once you get your foot in the door, you have seven leagues of minor levels to climb.

“Every level is a battle. You’re competing against your friends and teammates to get to the next level. For even the healthiest of guys, it’s a battle.”

After three seasons with the Reds as a starter and reliever, he was traded to Atlanta in 2004. In 2006, he was placed on the disabled list with ulnar neuritis in his right arm. He signed with the Seattle Mariners in 2007 but continued to go through arm trouble and, after re-signing with them in 2008, he retired. During Reitsma’s career, which saw him break his arm twice while throwing, he played for Canada at the 2006 World Baseball Classic and the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Things have slowed down considerably for Reitsma since then — a married father of three and working as a consultant with the Baltimore Orioles while coaching the Canadian junior national team (under-18).

But, looking back, there were certainly no regrets.

“I think any athlete will tell you, ‘I could have done more,’ ” said Reitsma who lives in Calgary with his wife Janelle and their three girls Kylie, Emily, and Allyson. “My career could have been more. I could have played longer. I could have fulfilled more goals. It’s special because when you are done playing and you do look in the mirror and you know you gave it all you had, it’s nice to get some recognition … that what you did was special. I’m very humbled by this induction and a chance to reflect on my life and my career.

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